Oil-storage tank



y 7, 1929. 1. R. AFONIN 1,712,321

OIL STORAGE TANK Filed July 25, 1927 ill l May 7, 1929 STATES PATENT, OFFICE.

OIL-STORAGE TANK.

Application filed July 25, 1927, Serial No. 208,359, and in Great Britain J'uIy'G, 1927.

This invention relates to means for preventing the evaporation of crude oil and oil products in storage tanks, the means being oi? the type in which the surface of the liquid is covered with separate floating cells.

According to the present invention the cells are so constructed that the circumferential cells are always forced into close contact with the walls of the tank, irrespective oil any expansion or contraction or deformation oi shape due to changes of temperature or to other causes.

According to the invention, each cell 18 substantially in the shape ot a parallelepipedon, hot as shown in Fig. l of the accompanying drawings, opposite sides which are partially immersed in the liquid, are 1nclined so that the cell tendsrto rotate about till are inclined from left to ri ht, the side A oi one cell resting on and tting closely in engagement with the side A of the next adjoining cell. G represents the level of the li aid in the tank.

he side it tends to slide downward and the side ll to rise. These movements tend to press the end cells of the row into contact with the wall D of the tank and consequently to maintain a ti ht closure which prevents evaporation of t e liquidln spite of changes in the dimensions of the tank.

ll, llor instance, a gap'tends to form between the cell 1 and the wall D, the cell l slides downwards and outwards and there-- hy moves the cell 2 baths opposite directions, the side A. rising and the side A descend ing. its the side A descends, a larger portion oil the weight oi that part of the cell is supported hy the liquid; there is, consequently, less pressure on. the surface A of the adjoining cell 3, which is raised and at the same time experiences a thrust to the leit and in this manner the movement of the cells is trarnitted across the row to the terminal cod d.

, ol the terminal cells of any row in contact with the "wall is preferably rounded. shown in order to prevent their movements from being hindered by the presence of rivets or other obstructions.

The cells are attached to ether by chains E or other means which al ow relative motion between them.

The ex lanation of the action of the sides A, A 0 each cell apply, also, to the corresponding action exerted on the sides B,

When it is not necessary that the liquid must be protected againstthe heat oil the sun, the cells. could be made open at the top.

Having thus described the nature of my said invention and the best means I know of carrying the came into practical eilect, I claim 1. Means for preventing the evaporation of crude oil and oil products in storage chambers, said means comprisi a plurality of separate floatin cells whiii cover the surface of the liqui most of such cells heing substantially in the form of a parallelepipedon and the contactin sides of adjacent cells being similarly inc ined to the vertical.

2. Means for preventing the evaporation of crude oil and oil products in storage chambers, said means comprisin a plurality of separate floating cells whic cover the surface of the liquid, most of such cells beingsubstantially in the form of a parallel0pipedon,- one inclined side of one cell resting u on and fitting closely in engagemialnt wit an inclined side of an adjoining ce 3. Means for preventing the evaporation of crude oil and oil products in storage chambers, said means comprising a plurality of separate floatin cells which cover the surface of the liqui most of such cells heing substantially in the form of a parallelepipedon, the surface of a terminal cell of any series in contact with a wall of the tonl: being rounded, 4. Means for preventing the evaporation o'l crude oil and oil products in storage chambers, said means comprising a plurality oi separate l'loatin cells which cover the suriace oi the liquid: most of such cells heing substantially in the form of a parallelepipedon, and means securing adjacent cells together and permitting relative movement hetween to cells. I

ll. Means tor 'gglreventinpg the evaporation lllli of crude oil and oil products in storage prising separate flexibly connected floating chambers, said means comprisin aplurality cells, the abutting sides of adjacent cells 1 of separate floating cells whic cover the being inclined in o posite directions to the surface of the liquid, most of such cells vertical and in sliding contact with one an- 5 being substantially in the form of a paralother.

lelopipedon, and chains securing ad acent In testimony whereof I have signed my cells together. name to this s ification.

6. A cover for an oil storage tank com- IVAN R0 IONOVITCH AFONIN. 

